Fab40s: Our favourite fashion decades ► Suzy Turner

This month, the Fab40s are looking back for inspiration. We’re looking at bygone eras, in particular our very own favourite ‘fashion decades’. I’ve long been a big fan of women’s style from the early half of the 20th century. And my particular favourites are from the 1920s to the 1950s.

For the Fab40s this month, I’ve chosen the 1940s to take inspiration from. I just adore the femininity of when women began wearing wide-legged trousers with very lady-like blouses and cardigans. Then they added either brogues or heels for the ultimate in sophistication.

It just so happens that last weekend, I popped into our local shopping centre to check out the sales. It wasn’t long before I spotted these absolute beauties: wide-legged soft trousers in my favourite colour, green. Aren’t they simply gorgeous? I bought them from Promod for just 15 euros!

When I bought them, I wasn’t thinking about wearing them for this month’s Fab40s. I just loved them so much, I had to have them – even though I didn’t have a clue what to wear with them. In hindsight, I think they’ll look fabulous with white sneakers. What do you reckon? For now though, when I started thinking about this month’s theme, it became apparent that they did have a bit of a 40s vibe going on.

Fortunately, I already owned a pair of shoes that also have a 40s vibe going on too. They’re the most gorgeous red pair, bought from Schuh a few years ago. Top-wise, I was a bit more restricted. I’d have loved to have worn these green trousers with a really feminine blouse in a lighter colour but this pussy-bow black one (Stradivarius) was all I had really. The red cardigan (H&M) helped to lift it a bit though.

So, all in all, I do like the look I created even though I’d have preferred a little more ‘1940s’ – a cinched-in waist, for example, and a little belt, perhaps.

This was also the perfect opportunity to show you my newest handbag. Isn’t it absolutely divine? I just love the colour and the flowers attached to it. It was my birthday gift from my mother-in-law and I just love it! I’m also wearing a new pair of earrings. They were super cheap from a local supermarket (Continente)! Needless to say, it was the colour that drew me to them 🙂

Now that you’ve seen one of my favourite fashion decades, let’s see what the rest of the Fab40s gals have chosen….

Jennie from A Pocketful of Polka Dots

Jennie was inspired by the 1950s for this month’s challenge and I think she’s pulled it off beautifully! I could totally see her on the set (in the earlier seasons) of Mad Men in this gorgeous dress, cardie and green shoes. Speaking of her shoes, I have total shoe envy here! I mean, check out the colour. Absolutely stunning! Here’s what Jennie said about the 50s: “Body hugging wiggle dresses, pencil skirts with cardigans, and fitted ankle pants do my hour glass figure favors, so it shouldn’t be much of a surprise it is my favorite style decade.”
Outfit:
Cardigan – NY&Co.
Vintage Wiggle Dress – Vintage by Suzanne
Fishnet Tights – c/o Berkshire Hosiery
Brooch – Ann Taylor
Earrings – c/o Happiness Boutique
Shoes – Nine West
Sunnies – Deb & Dave

Sheela from Sheela Writes

Sheela is always the one who truly ‘rocks’ the theme, and this month is no exception with her punk rocker style from the 90s! Here’s what Sheela said about this decade: “My ultimate decade of fashion is the 90s. More specifically a mesh of punk with rock n roll meets boardroom babe. Polished Punk, I suppose.” Sigh.
Outfit:
Leather Jacket – Pinko
White Blouse – Forever21
Bustier Tulle
Dress – Handmade
Boots – Bakers
Rings – House of Harlow
Belt – borrowed from boyfriend
Beer Bottle – random prop

Shelbee from Shelbee on the Edge

I thought Shelbee would either choose the brightly coloured 1980s or the swinging 60s and I was right. Check out her gorgeous dress, fluffy pink jacket and tights combo (not to mention the fab while boots!). Shelbee could have easily stepped off the set of Austin Powers here. Groovy baby!
Outfit:
Dress: Victoria Beckham for Target (from 2 years ago)
Coat, Black Layering Tee, and Earrings: Target
Booties: Forever 21
Tights: really old

Daenel from Living Outside the Stacks

Daenel is the picture of sophistication in this glorious librarian dress. This is exactly the kind of look I would have chosen to wear had I opted for the same decade: 1950s. I love fit and flare dresses like these, especially when teamed with opaque tights. Daenel looks simply stunning!
Outfit:
Cardigan: Target
Floral Pins: Hobby Lobby
Dress: Modcloth
Tights: Old
Mary Janes: Journee Collection

Mary from Curly Byrdie Chirps

I had an inkling that Mary would choose the 70s! How gorgeous does she look in these fabulous flared jeans with a difference, red boots and to-die-for tasseled handbag? If my 1940s outfit had failed (!), I was going to choose a 70s outfit purely because I had one handy lol. But I will save that for another day. I think Mary looks WAY better than I would’ve done anyway lol. She looks amazing!
Outfit:
Jeans Steinmart
Top – Pop Sugar Kohls
Boots – Kohls
Bag – Target

And me…